Role of ZrO2 in enhancing FeCoK catalysts for syngas conversion to light olefins

• Published in: Molecular catalysis 2024-02, Vol.555, p.113901, Article 113901
• Main Authors: Dolsiririttigul, Napaphut, Numpilai, Thanapha, Cheng, Chin Kui, Pham, Le Kim Hoang, Witoon, Thongthai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption strength; Hydrogenation; Light olefins; Syngas; ZrO2
• ISSN: 2468-8231; 2468-8231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mcat.2024.113901

•ZrO2 boosts Fe, Co, K dispersion in FeCoK, enhancing reducibility.•ZrO2 raises medium-to-strong h adsorption and medium basicity in FeCoK/ZrO2.•FeCoK/ZrO2 yields more hydrocarbons at 360–380 °C.•FeCoK/ZrO2 hits peak 13.2 mmol/gcat−1h−1 STY of C2C4 olefins at 380 °C. The primary aim of this study is to understand the role of ZrO2 in iron-cobalt-potassium (FeCoK) based catalysts for converting syngas to light olefins. Our findings reveal that ZrO2 support notably enhances the dispersion of Fe, Co, and K species, thus improving the reducibility of Fe2O3, Co3O4, and KNO3. This leads to increased medium and strong hydrogen adsorption and elevated medium basicity. At lower temperatures (300 °C and 320 °C), the space-time yield (STY) of hydrocarbons over FeCoK/ZrO2 is less than FeCoK due to the strong adsorption of intermediates by the increased basicity. However, at higher temperatures (360 °C and 380 °C), this trend reverses, indicating the high-temperature mitigates strong adsorption effects. The FeCoK/ZrO2 catalyst achieved the best STY of C2C4 olefins of 13.2 mmol gcat−1 h−1 at 380 °C. [Display omitted]